12 Important Court Cases

  • Period: to

    1700-1800

  • John Peter Zenger

    John Peter Zenger
    John Peter Zenger was arrested and tried for libel after writing criticism of the Royal Governor of New York. He was defended by future president Andrew Hamilton. It is determined that truth is defense to libel and Zenger was released of August of 1735.
  • Declartaion of Independance

    Declartaion of Independance
    The final draft of the Declaration of Independance was adopted.
  • Ordinance of Religious Freedom

    Ordinance of Religious Freedom
    This ordinance gives the people of Virginia the right to believe in whatever God and religion that they choose without discrimination.
  • Period: to

    1800-1900

  • United States 14th amendmant

    United States 14th amendmant
    The amendmant is ratified and says that "No state shall deprive of life. liberty, without process due to law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
  • Period: to

    1900-1999

  • Espionage Act

    Espionage Act
    Congress passes the Espionage Act, which makes it a crime to “to willfully cause or attempt to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, in the military or naval forces of the United States,” or to “willfully obstruct the recruiting or enlistment service of the United States.”
  • Sedition Act

    Sedition Act
    Congress passes this law which makes it illegal to criticise the United States constitution, army, or the flag
  • Scopes Monkey Trial

    Scopes Monkey Trial
    In Dayton, Tennessee, teacher John Scopes breaks Tennessee local law by teaching theory of evolution in public schools.
  • American Mercury

    American Mercury
    H.L. Mencken is arrested for distributing copies of
    American Mercury. Believed to be too obscene.
  • Espionage and Sedition Acts

    Espionage and Sedition Acts
    President Franklin D. Roosevelt pardons all people who were convicted under the Espionage and Sedition Acts.
  • Life Magazine Banned

    Life Magazine Banned
    Life Magazine was banned in the US for showing pictures from the film "The Birth of a Baby."
  • Bill of Rights

    Bill of Rights
    Massachusetts, Georgia, and Conneticutt finally ratify the bill of Rights.
  • Office of Censorship

    Office of Censorship
    Congress allows Roosevelt to create the Office of Censorship.